River Forest District 90
May 1, 2017     
Upcoming Meetings
Roosevelt Middle School
Library Learning Center
7560 Oak Avenue

Committee of the Whole Meeting/Town Hall Forum
June 6, 2017
7:00 p.m.

Board Meeting
June 19, 2017 
7:30 p.m.  
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Tri-Board Town Hall Forum/Committee of the Whole
Meeting Highlights

Presented by:
Mr. Ralph Martire, District 90 Board President
Dr. Edward Condon, Superintendent

The meeting was called to order by Board of Education President Ralph Martire at 7:03 p.m. in the Roosevelt Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. Oak Park District 97 Superintendent Carol Kelley led the roll that was called for all three Boards of Education including Oak Park District 97 and Oak Park River Forest High School District 200. For District 90, Anne Gottlieb, Judith Deogracias, Barb Hickey, Ralph Martire, Rich Moore, Nicole Thompson, and Stacey Williams were present. Immediately following the roll call, the Boards approved the evening's agenda, and led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Below is a summary of meeting highlights. Board Packets containing meeting details are posted on the District 90 website  prior to each meeting. Full meeting minutes will be posted on the website once approved.
Welcome and Introductions - Dr. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams 
 
Dr. Pruitt-Adams, Superintendent of Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRF) District 200, led the introductions of all Board members of the respective school districts. 
Guest and School District Presentations on Educational Equity
 
Dr. Condon introduced the speakers for the Town Hall Forum. The first speaker was District 90 Board President Ralph Martire, who explained that the purpose of the Tri-Board Town Hall Forum was for the three Boards of Education to share with each other about the community initiatives that support educational equity. He also provided information about how state level school funding decisions affect educational equity. Mr. Martire stated the Illinois invests less in the education of students of color than it does in white students, based on publicly available data.

District 200 Presentation
Dr. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, OPRF High School Superintendent, shared information about the initiatives and groups that are addressing educational equity at OPRF, including the Culture, Climate, and Behavior Committee; the District Equity Leadership Team; and the Equal Opportunity Schools. She also explained the difference between equality and equity and the reason it's important to understand the difference. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet.

District 97 Presentation
Dr. Carol Kelley, Oak Park District 97 Superintendent, provided an overview of the programs, initiatives, and committees that are working toward educational equity in Oak Park. Dr. Kelley relayed some of the insights she learned by soliciting input from others throughout the community. She also shared District 97's Equity Vision and explained the methods the District will use to measure results. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet.

District 90 Presentation
Dr. Condon, Peter Chen, Inclusiveness Advisory Board (I AB) member, and Barbara Stoldt, Equity Committee member, jointly presented the District's information on its educational equity efforts. They explained the complementary purposes of the IAB and Equity Committee as well as relayed information on the initiatives and efforts taking place in support of educational equity. Included in the list of programs were the administration of two Inclusiveness Perception Surveys, multiple professional development opportunities, and efforts to diversify the hiring of staff and faculty. Additional information can be viewed in the Board Packet 

Inter-Board Dialogue/Discourse
Members from all three Boards of Education asked questions and explained some of the specifics of their District's presentations. For instance, there were discussions around implementing restorative justice as a discipline initiative and OPRF High School's effort to enroll greater numbers of students of color into AP courses. There were also discussions among the Board members about their varied visions for equity, the common values of Oak Park and River Forest, and the need to share information.
Community Feedback and Questions/Public Comment

Approximately 8-10 of the audience members participated in the community feedback portion of the meeting.  Many of the comments expressed during the Town Hall were supportive of the efforts by the three Districts. The comments and questions were focused on upcoming actions of the Boards of Education, encouraging additional parent involvement and engagement, providing all students with the necessary academic and social emotional supports for success, and establishing a timeline for a comprehensive plan of action. 
Motion to Form Joint Board Initiative on Equity

To continue the evening's momentum, Ralph Martire introduced a motion that each Board of Education participating in the Town Hall Forum designate one Board member to serve on a joint Board committee to work on collaborating and articulating the efforts of the three Boards of Education. The move was approved by the Boards of Education of District 200, District 97, and District 90.